Take advantage of Key West Truman Annex lodging if you're Military

On the west tip of Key West is a lesser-known but fantastic part of Key West locally known as the Truman Annex. It's just outside of Old Town Key West where famous Duval Street and all the restaurants, bars, shopping and fun is at. Truman Annex (named after President Truman who spent time here during his presidency) has a beautiful large community of townhomes and condos and they are often available as vacation rentals, though very pricey and often hard to reserve. Just beyond this housing development you enter onto a section of Key West that's shared by the US Navy and Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. Pass a Coast Guard Cutter or Navy ship on your right, then the new Eco-Discovery Center, and you can either enter onto the Naval Base or the state park.

If you have military cred... USE IT HERE! Amazing location central to all the fun, a private beach and movie nights! Rent a bike, try to make reservations early (can't beat your nightly rate!). But from what we hear, they try to accommodate all military all the time - you deserve it!

Enjoy Key West with your military privileges

Key West is a place everyone loves to visit. If you haven't been yet, it's time! Whether you're single or married, no matter what age, whether you have small children or grown... Key West has plenty for everyone to enjoy. But did you know? If you have military privileges... you'll be able to see and take advantage of Key West like non-military never can. Perks? Here's a bunch...

Key West Mallory Square Sunset Tradition

​Mallory Square is the heart of Old Town Key West. Each night at sunset, a gathering at Mallory Square occurs no matter what day or time of year. Street performers, many of whom have performed here for many years, claim their space on the Square and give one fantastic performance after another. Entertainment, food, drinks, art, shopping all appear almost out of nowhere just for sunset and all overlooking Key West Harbor. It's family friendly fun, and there's plenty of it for everyone!

Key West is home to several of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. Everyone that knows Key West well has their own favorite beach. Each has a different vibe with different amenities and characteristics. On our most recent Key West weekend getaway we chose to spend the day at the Key West Beach on the Truman Annex at Fort Zachary Taylor. This beach is large and sandy, though parts of it can be a bit rocky. We like I because it has plenty of parking (for bikes and cars), plenty of picnic tables and grills, tons of shade so you can stay there all day without feeling "cooked", good restroom and outdoor shower facilities... and a mini-restaurant! Yep. Cooked food! A good lunch PLUS frozen key lime pie on a stick for dessert... pure awesome.

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park in Key West Truman Annex on a gorgous sun shiny day

Fort Zachary Taylor dates back to before the Civil War. It's at Key West's western tip and is part of the 87 mile Florida State Park. Visiting the fortress/compound makes for a relaxing hour or two of enjoying the park and Truman Annex area. The Fort is primitive and has been left to the elements... there's no gift shop or fancy recreations. What you see is what's left after decades and up to 200+ years of aging. Which in our opinion, is kinda unique and cool.

Key West Truman Annex: the ultimate something-for-everyone weekend!

Key West is like no other place on Earth. When we're asked for the best things to do in Florida... Key West ALWAYS tops the list. Whether you visit just once, or once a year like we do... you gotta go! Our favorite part of every trip is spending time at the Truman Annex. It's filled with presidential and military history dating as far back as the Civil War. If you like history, read up on it before you visit, it's super interesting. Key West might be the southernmost part of the US, but during the Civil War... it fought for the Union. That's right... the north was represented in the south at Fort Zachary Taylor. And just one hour south of Key West is Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas with even more cool history and the BEST SNORKELING!